1. Why the earlier attempts to colonize the New World fail? Who was behind these earlier attempts? And what was the outcome of those attempts? Analyze the initial factors of endowments when you answer these questions.
2. Why institutions are so crucial for development? Can you explain at least three different institution that were vital for America's development? Look back at the different institutions that helped to change the outcome of the initial settlements after 1620 (Refer to the Tragedy of the Commons).
3. After looking back almost two hundred years of history - 1600 to 1775 - and the victory of England over Holland, France and Spain, was America fortunate? You can refer to events that occur later in history and to parallels that might illustrate your answer but procure not to simplify your answer with cultural descriptions.
4. Explain some favored circumstances for demographic growth during colonial times. Refer to mortality rates overtime in comparison to Europe.
5. Indenture servants were a modality that helped to increase the labor force during colonial times. In what sense this system was similar and/or different to the slavery? Try to focus your answer on Economic factors.
6. Can you describe three major economic activities during the colonial times? In your opinion, which of that economic activity was most significant for the development of the colonies? There is not unique right answer to this question but I definitely think there are a range of few activities that had major impact on the development of the colonies.
7. In what sense mercantilism was positive and negative at the same time for the "New World"? Please support your answer when you refer why mercantilism was positive for the "New World"? Maybe a simple trade balance analysis presented by Walton and Rockoff will help to answer this question.
8. Can you describe some of the specialization differences between the Southern, Middle and Northern colonies?
9. How the positive gains in productivity helped to boost the economies of the colonies during the late 1600's and early 1700's? How technologies become one of the most important factors that helped to boost those economies?
10. In what sense, distribution as cited by Walton and Rockoff in chapter V of the textbook is a relevant topic for review for those earlier years of this nation.
11. What are some of the most important events that change the course of history before the American Revolution? What are some of the economic conditions that pushed the colonies to seek their independence?